Hidden amidst the desolate Pueblo Mountains of Southeast Oregon is one of the true high elevation gems of this harsh region. The West Pueblo Ridge is the dramatically westward tilted escarpment that provides the bulk of the Pueblo Mountain Range. At 8420 feet, this is the second highest point in the range, one of the hundred highest summits in Oregon, and the fourth highest point in Southeast Oregon with more than 1500 feet of prominence. The mountain offers an easy dayhike with 3rd class scramble approaches from the east, and 2nd class ridge walk approaches from the west. The Desert Trail Association offers a trail guide to the lightly marked route that traverses the range from south to north that travels along the West Pueblo Ridge.

Much of the Pueblo Mountain Range is comprised of the same Steens Basalt that blankets much of Southeast Oregon, however there is also large amounts of much older metamorphic rock underlying the geologically more recent basalt that is evident along the east facing escarpment and as pinnacles cutting from ridgelines. The Pueblo Range is a relatively small fault tilt when compared to massive tilts such as Steens Mountain and Abert Rim, but it has tilted to a much greater degree than these other nearby ranges, which accounts for its 8000+ elevations. Evidence of the angle of tilt can be seen along ridges on the west face of the range and by the angle of the rimrock in the image below.
Below, the West Pueblo Ridge seen from Long Hollow Pass

Like other Oregon Basin and Range peaks, expect bunchgrasses and sagebrush on the slopes, with alder, cottonwood, and willows along the stream-bottoms. The book "Oregon Desert Guide" states that Juniper is a rare occurrence here with less than 10 trees sighted in the range. Sharp-eyed hikers may spot one along the Stonehouse-Modesto Ridge route. Antelope are very common here, especially in meadows along the east face, and Bighorn Sheep can also be found in this range although are seen infrequently.

Views from the summit include Eagle Peak in the Warner Mountains of California to the distant southeast; Duffer Peak dominates the southern view; Steens Mountain's massive bulk eclipses the view north; and Pueblo Mountain obscures much of the view east, although Orevada View in the Trout Creek Range is visible. Visible in the west is Beatys Butte, Hart Mountain, and Drake Peak.

Getting There

The West Pueblo Ridge can be accessed from either the west or east, both choices will result in several miles of travel up very rough 4x4 roads with stream crossings.

Seen from Pueblo Mountain

Winter climbing is more accessible from the west where the access road brings you within three miles of the summit; whereas summer climbing may be better from the east where you can begin from a higher elevation.

From the east, route directions can be found in Barbara Bond's 75 Scrambles In Oregon. That east approach uses the same Arizona Creek 4x4 road that is used for summiting Pueblo Mountain Proper. Both mountains could be summited in a single long day from a base camp in Stergen Meadows at the head of Arizona Creek. From Stergen Meadows it is roughly 3 miles one way with 2100 feet of elevation gain. Dennis Poulin provided this route page for the
North Ridge of Pueblo Mountain that will get you northern base of Pueblo Mountain, and is also the same starting point used for Barbara Bond's route.

From the west you will need to access Stonehouse Creek from the Upper Bog Hot Valley. To reach Stonehouse Creek turn onto the gravel Bog Hot road where highway 140 circles south of the Pueblo Mountain Range in Nevada, this is 9 miles west of Denio Junction. Once on the Bog Hot road travel 10 miles north past the Bog Hot Reservoir and Hot Springs to a 90 degree turn to the east at the Oregon End Ranch. Continue around the corner where it will almost immediately turn back north. After another 2.5 miles of northward travel the road will sweep west down into the Oregon End Ranch. At this point you will instead continue northeast on a slightly worse quality dirt road. Within half a mile you will see a road take off to the east, turn right here. Immediately you will come to another Y in the road, here take a left. From this point there are no further options to turn right or left. It's a rough 3 miles to the end of the road with two gates you will have to open and close, and at least two stream crossings (possibly more depending on conditions). Follow the road as far as you are comfortable with, there is clearing in the sagebrush at 3 miles in next to a creek that makes a great starting point. The first major stream crossing is at 2 miles, and would also be a possible camping location. From the roads end along Stonehouse Creek it is a 3 mile scramble one way with 2800 feet of elevation gain.

Red Tape

Summit Rib

Much of the Pueblo Mountain Range is BLM land and is open to cattle grazing. Expect barbed wire fences with gates you will have to open and close behind you as you may pass through some private ranchland. Weather conditions may make roads too muddy to travel. The Burns BLM office can provide you with travel information and fire restrictions. There are no developed campsites in the Pueblo Mountains, of course practice leave no trace. Finally beware rattlesnakes, very little of this mountain range is above the habitable elevation for snakes.

Burns BLM: (541) 573-4400

Always have at least one spare tire when traveling in the Pueblo Mountains, all roads are in poor condition and the nearest tire repairs can be done is over 100 miles away in Burns.

Camping

summit escarpment

Since there are no developed campsites I will suggest a couple good locations. For the west side the roads end along Stonehouse Creek is one spot. There is typically running water here and several aggregate rock formations offer fun exploration. On the east side Stergen Meadows between Pueblo Mountain and the West Pueblo Ridge may have water at one of the various springs ringing the valley, trees are present in some gullies for cover, and the elevation is above 6000 feet meaning cooler daytime temperatures. Camping at Pike Creek on the Alvord Desert is an option, and so is the Big Spring Reservoir along the border west of the Pueblos. The Big Spring Reservoir has all the amenities you would want for a developed camping location and is roughly 30 miles west of the Pueblos on Highway 140.

External Links & Weather

Burns BLM page

75 Scrambles In Oregon.

Oregon Desert Guide


Plan your trip Local Radar Detailed Forecast

Subpeaks of the West Pueblo Ridge

The 8000 foot crest of the West Pueblo Ridge runs two and a half miles from the Willow Creek Summits in the north to Peak 8110 in the south. This is the true alpine region of the Pueblo Mountains, and provides a dividing wall between the Bog Hot / Oregon End Basin and the meadows laying at the western foot of 8600 foot Pueblo Mountain.
West Pueblo Ridge reference map
Below, the 8000 foot crest of the West Pueblo Ridge seen from south of the Oregon End Ranch

Willow Creek Summits - These two subpeaks both exceed 8000 feet and are found above the Willow Creek Pockets on the north end of the West Pueblo Ridge. Each could be reached from either of the approach routes for the West Pueblo Ridge with a moderate ridge traverse. The South Fork of Willow Creek drains from the Willow Creek Pockets, a 6000 foot basin laying below these two highpoints.

Willow Creek Summits

Peak 8110
This is the highest point along the West Pueblo Ridge south of the primary summit. Little Stonehouse Creek springs from the western basin of 8110 and Ten Cent Meadows lies below the eastern face. Peak 8110 is most easily accessed from the Stonehouse - Modesto Route.

Peak 8110

Other Summits of the Pueblo Mountain Range

Fields BM - Located due west of the town of Fields is this 6537 foot peak on the north end of the Pueblo Range. Best access would be from the Long Hollow Pass on Highway 205.

Fields BM

Strawberry Butte - At 6326 feet this distinctively red mountain rises over 2000 feet from the valley floor and is the first major summit on the south end of the Pueblo Range. Best access would be from highway 140 north of Continental Lake.

Strawberry Butte

Images



[ View Gallery - 8 More Images ]